The Premier Hockey Federation All-Stars have arrived in Toronto and the first stop for some of the league’s top talents was the rink, but this time as fans, enjoying a social night out as guests of the NHL’s Maple Leafs on Friday night for their game against the Ottawa Senators.
“It was such a cool event. Thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs for having us,” said Toronto Six defender Kati Tabin. “It was nice to have the opportunity to mingle amongst PHF staff and the All-Star group of players. You can hear what is going on around the league.”
Tabin is making her first PHF All-Star appearance and enjoyed the game alongside fellow newcomers as well as some of the league’s most experienced players, like Madison Packer of the Metropolitan Riveters who is now a six-time All-Star.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Packer. “I think it is always fun when the players can get together off the ice in a different atmosphere and a different dynamic. It was really cool and we got treated well. It’s also fun to get to know players better and to interact with them. You are a different person on the ice when you are playing the game vs when you are sitting down having breakfast in the morning. It’s fun to get to know people a little bit better and build relationships with players on different teams.”
The All-Stars were given a suite for the game and were recognized by the Leafs on the scoreboard during a second-period stoppage.
“It was really fun and it was really cool that they acknowledged the All-Stars during the game,” said Riveters forward, Kelly Babstock. “Being from Toronto it was a really fun experience. It was almost like I was living my childhood dream. Being in Toronto, being an All-Star, and being around such amazing talent. There were a lot of little girls in the stands. It is really cool to be their role model and for them to see women’s professional hockey players on the screen. When I was a girl we never had that.”
The scoreboard appearance is the first of many ways the PHF All-Stars will be connecting with fans in Toronto, as Saturday’s schedule features two morning practices with youth teams, and Sunday’s game includes an autograph session after the final buzzer.
Tickets for the game at Mattamy Athletic Centre are still available and can be purchased online via TicketMaster for $29.50 including taxes and processing fees. You can also watch the PHF All-Stars live across the United States on ESPN2 and in Canada on TSN, TSN.ca, and the TSN app beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET.
